what brought about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what brought about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to inquire about the cause or reason for a particular event or situation. Example: "Can you explain what brought about the changes in the policy?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

What brought about the fast disappearance of the large and medium-sized mammal community?

Evolution: Education and Outreach

What brought about these changes?

The New York Times

What brought about this change?

The New York Times

What brought about the current schism?

The New Yorker

What brought about this shift?

The Guardian

What brought about this unlikely alliance?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Attitudes such as these, and the accumulation of small doses of indifference towards intolerance and prejudice, are what bring about systematic discrimination.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you want to know what brings about revolutions, it is not G.D.P. rising or falling, says Aron, "it is the quest for dignity".

The New York Times

"George Osborne appears to lack a sophisticated understanding of what brings about prosperity and happiness in societies," he said.

The Guardian

The QALY tells us to do what brings about the greatest health benefit, irrespective of where that benefit falls.

The New York Times - Magazine

Her performance followed Engdahl's justificatory speech, which opened with the question: "What brings about the great shifts in the world of literature?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing. "What brought about" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts. For more informal settings, consider using "what caused" or similar alternatives.

Common error

While "what brought about" is widely acceptable, overuse in informal conversation might sound unnatural. Adjust your vocabulary to match your audience. Use more direct casual alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what brought about" functions as an interrogative causal connector, used to inquire about the cause or reason behind a particular event or situation. It introduces a question seeking explanation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what brought about" is a versatile phrase used to inquire about causes or origins, as Ludwig AI confirms. It's generally considered grammatically correct and suitable for neutral to formal contexts. While commonly used in news and media, it also appears in scientific and academic writing. When choosing this phrase, consider the level of formality required and ensure the context clearly identifies the event in question. Remember that synonyms like "what caused" or "what led to" might be more appropriate for informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what caused

Replaces "brought about" with the more direct verb "caused", focusing on direct causation.

what led to

Emphasizes the sequence of events that resulted in something.

what was the reason for

More explicitly asks for the underlying reason or motive.

what were the origins of

Focuses on the starting point or initial development.

what prompted

Highlights the event or action that triggered something.

what instigated

Implies a more forceful or initiating action.

what gave rise to

Suggests the creation or emergence of something.

what was the catalyst for

Emphasizes the element that sparked a change or reaction.

what accounted for

Asks for the explanation or justification of an event.

what contributed to

Highlights the factors that played a role in causing an outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "what brought about" in a sentence?

Use "what brought about" to inquire about the cause or reason for a specific event or change. For example, "What brought about the sudden increase in sales?"

What's a simpler way to ask "what brought about"?

Simpler alternatives include "what caused" or "what led to", which are more direct and suitable for informal contexts.

Is "what brought about" formal or informal?

"What brought about" is generally considered neutral to formal. It's appropriate for academic, journalistic, and professional writing.

What is the difference between "what brought about" and "what was the reason for"?

While similar, "what brought about" focuses on the direct cause, whereas "what was the reason for" explores underlying motivations and justifications.